Cenric (died 911) was the commander of King Edward the Elder of Wessex's household troops from 910 to 911. He succeeded Steapa following the latter's death at the Battle of Tettenhall, only to be killed at the Siege of Winchester.
Biography[]
Cenric served in King Edward the Elder's household troops before succeeding Steapa as their commander in 910 AD, and he accompanied King Edward to the Mercian capital of Aylesbury after the Battle of Tettenhall. Ealdorman Aethelhelm of Wiltshire ordered Cenric to return to Winchester and have the queen mother Ealhswith placed under house arrest, ostensibly for her insubordination to her son, but really to ensure that she could no longer hold poewr at court. Cenric then returned to Aylesbury, only for Aethelhelm to then send him to Saltwich to retrieve Lady Aethelflaed's daughter Aelfwynn and bring her back to Aylesbury to marry Eardwulf, although he instructed Cenric not to use force. Upon Cenric's arrival, he was duped by Uhtred's daughter Stiorra into believing that Uhtred had already taken Aelfwynn to Winchester. He later took part in the occupation of Aylesbury and in the Siege of Winchester, during which King Edward sent him to threaten the defending Danes with a fire attack if they would not surrender. Before Cenric could finish his speech, Brida shot him with an arrow and killed him.
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